Palo Alto Networks Launches Idira to Address Growing Identity Security Risks in the AI Era

As artificial intelligence (AI) adoption and digital transformation continue to accelerate across the Philippines, cybersecurity challenges are becoming increasingly complex. In response to these growing risks, Palo Alto Networks has officially launched Idira, its next-generation identity security platform designed to help enterprises discover, control, and govern all identities across their digital environments.

The launch comes at a crucial time as organizations face an explosion of machine and AI identities that significantly expand enterprise attack surfaces. According to industry projections, the Philippine AI market is expected to grow from USD772.1 million in 2024 to around USD3.5 billion by 2030, highlighting the urgent need for stronger cybersecurity and identity governance frameworks.

Palo Alto Networks stated that traditional identity security systems have become outdated and difficult to manage. Many enterprises still rely on fragmented tools and manual processes that create operational bottlenecks and leave critical vulnerabilities unaddressed. Idira aims to eliminate these silos by transforming identity security into a unified and strategic foundation for modern enterprises.

The company’s latest 2026 Identity Security Landscape Report, based on a survey of 2,930 cybersecurity decision-makers worldwide, reveals alarming trends in identity-related threats. One of the most striking findings is that machine identities now outnumber human identities by 109 to 1, with projections indicating a further 77% increase through 2026.

The report also found that 90% of organizations experienced at least one successful identity-related breach within the past year. Additionally, 97% of respondents said fragmented security tools add an average of 12 hours to every identity incident response, slowing down organizations during critical situations.

AI agents are also rapidly becoming part of enterprise operations. The study revealed that 99% of organizations have already adopted AI agents, making them the fastest-growing identity segment with an expected growth rate of 85% this year alone. Despite this rapid adoption, many organizations still lack essential controls such as behavioral monitoring and credential revocation for compromised AI systems.

Another major concern highlighted in the report involves manual certificate management. About 97% of organizations expect financial consequences from failing to automate certificate renewals, with average yearly losses estimated at $272,088 due to certificate-related failures.

As cyber threats continue evolving alongside AI technologies, Idira represents Palo Alto Networks’ effort to modernize identity security and help organizations prepare for the future, including emerging quantum-related cybersecurity challenges.

Eastern Communications Launches New Experience Center Showcasing Award-Winning Customer Experience

Eastern Communications has officially launched the Eastern Experience Center at Telecom Plaza, marking a significant step in its commitment to delivering immersive, customer-centric experiences. Anchored in its 148-year legacy of providing reliable connectivity, the company continues to evolve its approach to customer engagement by creating spaces that bring its brand and solutions closer to the people it serves.

The Eastern Experience Center is designed as a dynamic and technology-driven environment. It aims to deepen customer understanding of the company’s capabilities while showcasing its enduring brand story. The space also reflects Eastern’s customer-first philosophy, blending innovation with intentional design to communicate its promise of strong, dependable connections through multi-sensory storytelling.

“The Eastern Experience Center is a reflection of how we want to engage with our customers—more meaningfully and more memorably. By creating an environment that encourages exploration and understanding, we empower businesses to better appreciate how our solutions can support their growth and transformation,” said Jed Estanislao, Chief Marketing and Experience Officer at Eastern Communications.

The center reinforces Eastern’s “High Tech, High Touch” philosophy by showcasing the company’s advanced digital capabilities while underscoring the value of personalized service and genuine human connection. Customers are encouraged to engage at their own pace, fostering more authentic and productive conversations that go beyond traditional sales interactions.

The launch of the Eastern Experience Center further strengthens the company’s track record in customer experience excellence. It comes after the telco provider was recognized at the Asian Experience Awards 2025, where it received the Customer Experience of the Year distinction, and at the 2025 Asia-Pacific Stevie Awards for Achievement in Customer Satisfaction. These accolades underscore Eastern’s continued focus on elevating service standards while adapting to the evolving needs of enterprises and SMEs.

Eastern Communications remains committed to driving innovation while maintaining a strong customer focus. The Eastern Experience Center stands as a tangible expression of this commitment to bridging technology and human connection to deliver meaningful, lasting impressions.

To learn more about Eastern Communications and their upcoming initiatives, contact 5300-7000 or visit www.eastern.com.ph.

Enchanted Kingdom Honors All Enchanting Moms Through a Month-Long Mother’s Day Celebration

Enchanted Kingdom, the first and only world-class theme park in the Philippines, celebrates motherhood and family bonding at Forever Enchanted Mother’s Day: A Month-Long Summer Celebration on all weekends of May.

In line with this quarter’s Forever Enchanted Summer campaign, the Laguna-based theme park pays an enchanting tribute to the remarkable women who bring magic into every home with treats, giveaways, themed entertainment, and other experiences around the Park — all included with EK’s Regular Day Passes.

The festivities officially kicked off on May 10 at Eldar’s Theater, which featured complimentary pampering services, such as basic haircut, facial cleansing, and massage therapy, paired with goodies and essentials exclusively for moms.

Mothers and their families also danced and sang along to the energetic performances of EK’s very own P-Pop girl group at their seasonal musical show, SMS Summer Blast.

Adding a heartfelt touch to the celebration, the theme park set up its Letters to Mom dedication wall, allowing guests to share messages of love and appreciation for their mothers.

Lastly, the maternal figures among the EK Stoyverse characters — Faerie Queen and Aruga — along with Eldar the Wizard, made a special appearance in front of the Eldar’s Theater, where they warmly welcomed and interacted with park guests.

MORE MAGIC FOR MOTHERS

The month-long Mother’s Day celebration continues as EK announces some of its upcoming seasonal shows, deals, and experiences for the remaining weekends of May.

In addition to the various pop-up booths featured each week, SMS Summer Blast will keep the energy and radiance alive as the show runs Fridays through Sundays at 4PM and 5:30PM at Eldar’s Theater.

Visiting moms can enjoy heartfelt serenades from Fridays to Sundays by EK’s all-male vocal group, Kingsmen. In contrast, the award-winning musical group La Salle Green Hills’ Kundirana will perform their special Mother’s Day tribute on May 17.

Throughout the month, the whole family is in for a royal feast with EK’s Filipino-themed Forever Enchanted Mother’s Day Food Bundle at Amazon Grill and LaunchTime restaurants. In addition, everyone can gift a piece of magic while enjoying enchanting savings on selected EK merchandise with 10% off.

All of these Mother’s Day offerings and other surprises will be waiting for parkgoers alongside EK’s iconic rides and attractions, as the Park opens Fridays to Sundays from 1PM to 8PM.

*Schedules are subject to change without prior notice.

For more information and updates on this and EK’s other events and offerings, visit https://www.enchantedkingdom.ph and EK’s official social media accounts @enchantedkingdom.ph for Facebook and TikTok, and @ek_philippines for Instagram.

SHDA Marks 56 Years of Leadership, Housing Industry Leaders Convene to Push for Greater Sector Synergy

Manila, Philippines — As the Philippines continues to confront housing needs projected at 3.7 million until 2028 according to Department of Human Settlements and Urban Development (DHSUD), the Subdivision and Housing Developers Association (SHDA) is calling on the housing sector to move forward in greater synergy as it marks its 56th year of housing leadership, with its celebration set on May 20, 2026, at Marquis Events Place in Bonifacio Global City, Taguig.

Anchored on the theme “Synergy — Onward Together!”, SHDA’s milestone gathering will bring together housing developers, government agencies, industry stakeholders, and partners. The event underscores the association’s call for stronger collective action to accelerate housing delivery and advance policy alignment across the sector.

“At 56, SHDA stands at the convergence of legacy and urgency,” said SHDA Chairman of the Board Engr. Francis Richmond Z. Villegas. “The work of making housing affordable, sustainable, and accessible to every Filipino is far from finished, and it is work that none of us can do alone. As we face challenging times in both the global and local landscape, we are reminded not to lose sight of our goals and to continue moving Onward Together.”

The timing of the milestone reflects a deliberate position. Over the past years, SHDA has actively participated in the technical working groups led by DHSUD, particularly on the Expanded Pambansang Pabahay Para sa Pilipino (4PH) Program, the streamlining of housing permits and licenses, and the review of socialized housing price ceilings.

The association also provided industry input to the Anti-Red Tape Authority (ARTA) on the Joint Memorandum Circular streamlining permits and licenses for housing developments. SHDA also maintains active participation in key advisory and consultative bodies, including housing boards, inter-agency committees, and congressional hearings in both the House of Representatives and the Senate, enforcing its role in multi-level policy formulation and oversight.

“The progress we have seen in the past year on price ceilings and regulatory streamlining is a testament to what genuine dialogue can accomplish,” said SHDA National President Mr. Kerwin Padua. “These outcomes did not happen overnight. They are the result of sustained engagement, Technical working group meetings, regional consultations, committee hearings, and frank conversations with our government partners.”

At the regional level, SHDA’s eight chapters have facilitated direct dialogues between local developers and government agencies, including DHSUD, Land Registration Authority (LRA), and Pag-IBIG Fund, helping address region-specific concerns on project development and financing.

Founded in 1970, SHDA has grown into a 350-member organization and is widely recognized as one of the industry’s most consistent voices in housing policy formulation. Its support for the institutionalization of DHSUD through Republic Act No. 11201 underscores its long-standing advocacy for structural reform.

SHDA also collaborates with academic and research institutions, such as the Center for Research and Communication of the University of Asia and the Pacific, on the Collaborative Housing Roadmap (2025–2040). It also organizes the National Developers Convention, now in its 34th edition, one of the country's longest-running annual gatherings of housing developers and stakeholders.

As part of its anniversary celebration, SHDA will pay tribute to partner institutions that have supported its mission and sustained collaboration across the public and private sectors. The association will also continue advocating for open dialogue, regulatory alignment, and inclusive participation to help address affordability, sustainability, and financing challenges in housing.

SHDA’s 56th Anniversary Celebration begins at 6:00 PM on May 20, 2026, at Marquis Events Place, Bonifacio Global City, Taguig. Interested industry stakeholders and partners may confirm their attendance by registering at shda.ph/56th-anniversary/ or contact shda.secretariat@gmail.com for event and sponsorship inquiries.

Globe’s GFiber Prepaid Reaches 1 Million Subscribers, Leads in Prepaid Fiber Internet

Globe announces that its Globe At Home GFiber Prepaid has reached 1 million subscribers, another milestone that reflects the growing trust of Filipino families in flexible, affordable, and reliable home internet. Built on a prepaid, no lock-up model, GFiber Prepaid empowers households to take control of their connectivity, making fast and dependable internet more accessible at a time when rising costs of living and energy challenges demand practical solutions.

With a 15% quarter‑on‑quarter growth in subscribers, this milestone represents millions of everyday moments powered by GFiber Prepaid. This momentum was further fueled by higher‑value reloads, sustaining revenue growth in the prepaid fiber segment. Globe’s approach prioritizes profitable density over geographic sprawl, ensuring disciplined expansion through targeted customer acquisition. By balancing rapid scale with sustainable long‑term value, the company’s success reflects a deliberate strategy rooted in quality growth and customer relevance.

Now, families can confidently enrich their digital lifestyle at home, seamlessly connecting up to 15 devices at once and supporting the diverse needs of every household member. From students learning online, to professionals working remotely or managing side hustles, to families streaming entertainment and loved ones staying in touch, GFiber Prepaid delivers flexible, reliable fiber connectivity that makes everyday progress possible.

“GFiber Prepaid has become a trusted everyday partner at home. It is a reliable WiFi that adapts to real household needs, without long‑term lock‑ins. As we continue to grow this segment, we remain committed to delivering dependable service, accessible offers, and customer-first support that keeps families connected every day,” said Abigail Cardino, Vice President and Head of Brand Management, Broadband Business at Globe.

GFiber Prepaid can be installed in as fast as 24 hours. It offers customer support through the GlobeOne app and dedicated Alagang Globe Viber groups. Plus, it offers at-home assistance via the Globe Care‑avan.

Value‑packed offers such as FREE 300 Mbps, six times faster than the previous 50 Mbps, for the same ₱699 installation fee, plus 7 days of unlimited internet, or 30 days of 100 Mbps for ₱999 with free installation, give families greater flexibility to manage their budgets while enjoying dependable, high‑speed connectivity at home.

Worried about rising monthly expenses? Globe AT HOME GFiber Prepaid offers a budget‑friendly internet solution that works as hard as you do. Unlike traditional plans, there are no long‑term commitments, just flexible prepaid options paired with fiber‑fast speeds that empower remote work setups and ensure seamless home schooling for the kids. With Globe, families can stay productive, connected, and resilient, enjoying reliable connectivity without the burden of a fixed monthly bill.